BRONX, N.Y. — Eight alleged members and associates of the “Shiesty 66” gang have been indicted in a large-scale bank fraud scheme that netted over $10 million, according to an announcement by Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark. The defendants are accused of attempting to steal $12.6 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds, as well as spending the stolen money on luxury items such as Rolls Royces, chartered yachts, jewelry, and designer clothing.

“The defendants allegedly conspired to steal millions of dollars, recruiting vulnerable people as partners in fraud,” Clark said. “At one point, they allegedly attempted to steal $12.6 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds. The defendants allegedly spent the money as quickly as they stole it, on luxury items.”

The indictment is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bronx District Attorney’s Office in collaboration with the New York City Police Department, the U.S. Secret Service, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Law enforcement agencies have worked together to uncover the details of the complex scheme, which involved stealing checks from the mail to finance the defendants’ lavish lifestyles.

NYPD Interim Commissioner Thomas G. Donlon emphasized the department’s commitment to pursuing gang-related criminal activities. “We are committed to identifying and investigating alleged gang members and ending the illegal schemes used to fund their criminal activities, as highlighted by this indictment.”

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